Characterization of the Shark Bottom Longline Fishery: 2017

Mathers, Alyssa N.; Deacy, Bethany M.; Moncrief-Cox, Heather E.; Carlson, John K.

doi:10.25923/f1n6-r841

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…The shark bottom longline fishery has been monitored by NMFS observers since 1994, and approximately 200 fishers have US permits to target sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico (Mathers et al, 2018). The observer coverage goal of this fishery is 5-10%, but there is 100% coverage on the four to six commercial shark-fishing vessels participating in the shark research fishery programme monitored by NMFS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The majority (63.6%) used 18/0 circle hooks, and the average soak time was 7.8 h. Vessels that participated in the research programme had mainline lengths ranging from 2 to 19.6 km (average 7.0 km), were deployed at depths between 4 and 158 m (average 31.4 m), and had between 112 and 300 hooks (average 247). The majority (51.9%) used 18/0 circle hooks, and the average soak time was 5.6 h (Mathers et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Commercial fishery bycatch risk for large juvenile and adult smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in Florida waters

Graham

Kroetz

Poulakis

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

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Incidental catch of marine species can create ecological and economic issues, particularly for endangered species. The smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) is endemic to the Atlantic Ocean and listed as Endangered in the US Endangered Species Act. One of its major threats is bycatch mortality in commercial fisheries. Despite the protection afforded by the US Endangered Species Act, smalltooth sawfish are still captured as bycatch in commercial fisheries. Acoustic and satellite tag data collected on 59 sawfish between 2011 and 2019 were analysed to assess commercial fishery bycatch risk for large juveniles and adults off Florida. This study focused on shrimp trawl, south‐east coastal gillnet, and shark bottom longline fisheries, as these were identified in the recovery plan as having the greatest potential threats to recovery. Bycatch risk associated with the shrimp trawl fishery was significantly higher than the other fisheries, indicating that this fishery currently poses the greatest threat to recovery. Bycatch risk was concentrated in all seasons in the Gulf of Mexico adjacent to the lower Florida Keys for the shrimp trawl fishery, off Cape Canaveral in the south‐east coastal gillnet fishery, and in the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the Florida Keys in the shark bottom longline fishery. Tagging location and sex were predictors of bycatch risk. Individuals tagged in Charlotte Harbor had the highest shrimp trawl bycatch risk. Females tagged in south Florida tended to reside in the deepest water, which is where shrimp trawl effort is highest. Therefore, females may be at more risk in these deeper waters. Results from this study indicate a year‐round closure of waters off south‐west Florida to the shrimp trawl fishery between Charlotte Harbor and the western Florida Keys would reduce sawfish bycatch, and thus mortality, which is in line with recovery plan goals.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%